Add this to the long list of problems caused by buzzing drones: Frightening 1,500 elk into stampeding at a time of year when too much stress can be deadly for the animals.
This winter already is one for the books in western Wyoming. More than twice as much snowfall than usual has fallen in many areas, and more than 3 feet has accumulated at the National Elk Refuge in the scenic valley of Jackson Hole.
Typically the National Elk Refuge provides a winter haven for elk. But on Monday, David A. Smart, 45, of Washington, D.C., got a $280 ticket for allegedly launching a drone from a highway pullout and flying it over hundreds of elk resting there.
The device caused the elk to stampede half a mile through the snow. Smart was trying to film the animals and afterward was apologetic, refuge deputy manager Cris Dippel said Friday.
Nonetheless, wildlife managers take animal harassment seriously. The federal crime of which Smart was accused, disturbing wildlife, is punishable by an up to $5,000 fine.
Source: Popular Mechanics
(Score: 1) by moondoctor on Tuesday February 28 2017, @04:10PM (1 child)
>look up the caloric requirements for human exercise, and then extrapolate based on body mass for rough estimates
That actually made me laugh. Look up Winter wildlife in the Rockies and you'll get a clearer picture. As I said, when you are camping in -20 weather you'd be amazed how much more food you need to just carry on normally.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday March 01 2017, @02:41AM
Then compare to resting caloric usage and realize your mistake.